The Burundian Revenue Authority (OBR) proceeded Monday evening to the closure of the offices of the Burundian magazine Jimbere, whose head office is located in Bujumbura in the commercial city. This decision was motivated by unpaid tax debts, according to the Burundian tax administration.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The boss of the magazine, Roland Rugero, spoke on his X account (Formerly Twitter) to try to clarify the situation. According to him, there is a misunderstanding around the legal status of the magazine. Indeed, ASSEMAJI, the association of publishers of Jimbere, is a non-profit association, while the OBR considers it as a company subject to tax.

Ongoing dialogue with the OBR

On Tuesday, Jimbere representatives went to the Directorate of Large Taxpayers to provide additional explanations, as required by the OBR. Roland Rugero specifies that this tax dispute is not new and that it resurfaces regularly.

Tax debts confirmed

While the magazine claims to declare its taxes every year since 2019, some sources claim that Jimbere has significant tax debts. This information has been corroborated by employees of the magazine, some of whom fear the consequences of this situation. Indeed, staff members report salary arrears and mention precarious working conditions.

Launched in 2016 by a team of Burundian journalists, Jimbere magazine is aimed mainly at young people and women in Burundi. Its future will now depend on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations with the OBR.

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Jimbere Magazine offices closed by the Burundian Revenue Authority in Bujumbura